Bill Owen

Known for ActingBorn 1914-03-14Died 1999-07-12Acton, London, England, UK

British born actor known for playing working class characters on film and TV. Born William Rowbotham, the son of a tram driver and laundress, he started playing drums in London nightclubs and toured music halls with his own cabaret act to pay for acting classes. He entertained at Butlin's holiday camps and performed in repertory, joining the Unity Theatre where he attained respect as a stage producer. His career was interrupted by military service with the Royal Army Ordinance Corps where he was injured in an explosion during a battle training course. Returning to acting, he started making a name for himself in such films as Johnny in the Clouds (1945), When the Bough Breaks (1947), Maniacs on Wheels (1949), and The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952). He continued to perform in the theatre limelight and peaked in roles with Katharine Hepburn in "As You Like It" in 1950, and with "The Threepenny Opera" and "The Mikado", which made use of his musical talents. A writer at heart, he penned songs, musicals and plays over the years. Partnered with Mike Sammes, he wrote songs recorded by Pat Boone, Harry Secombe, Engelbert Humperdinck and Sir Cliff Richard, who had a hit with his 1980 song "Marianne". In the 60s he produced the stage musical, "The Matchgirl", and focused heavily on film slapstick with the 'Carry On' series. TV stardom came late, in the role of Compo in the BBC's 1973 series "Last of the Summer Wine". When he died of pancreatic cancer in 1999, he asked to be buried in the Yorkshire village of Holmfirth, where the TV series was filmed. Owen was awarded the MBE in 1976 for his steadfast work for the National Association of Boys Clubs and for his role as chairman of the Performing Arts Advising Panel.Read more

Movies & web series

Mischief

The Secret of Blood Island

Taxi!

Getting Sam Home

Headline Hunters

Cilla

What's a Carry On?

Sherlock Holmes

Trouble in the Air

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?

Noel's House Party

Catweazle

Half Hour Story

A Day to Remember

The Entertainer

Man in a Suitcase

Last of the Summer Wine

The Ship That Died of Shame

ITV Saturday Night Theatre

ITV Playhouse

School for Secrets

The Square Ring

Tales of the Unexpected

O Lucky Man!

The Funny Blokes of British Comedy

The Rainbow Jacket

There Was a Young Lady

Trottie True

Not So Dusty

When The Bough Breaks

The Girl Who Couldn't Quite

Performance

This Is Your Life

The Weaker Sex

Carry On Cabby

Carry On Nurse

Carry On Sergeant

The Buccaneers

Carry On Regardless

Georgy Girl

My Brother's Keeper

Shirley's World

The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men

Easy Money

Carve Her Name with Pride

The Shakedown

Laughterhouse

The Way to the Stars